Australian Greens spokesperson for mining Senator Larissa Waters will introduce a bill into the Senate today to give protection to Australian water resources from mining, including coal seam gas.
The bill would give the federal Government power to consider the impact on Australia's water resources during the assessment and approval of any mining activity, by adding a 'water trigger' to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
"Food security and water are national issues that deserve protection at the federal level, and this bill will allow us to deliver that protection," Senator Waters said.
"The states have demonstrated they are inept at handling the risks associated with coal seam gas mining to date, and Australian communities are now demanding national action to prevent CSG from jeopardising the long term sustainability of our food and water supply.
"Tony Windsor's proposal to use $200-400 million of mining tax revenue to fund proper research into the impacts of CSG on aquifers and ecosystems is a great idea which the Greens support - and it could be funded by the Greens' proposal to include gold in the mining tax.
Queensland Greens
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